“Blue Jays Fever” Hits Toronto, Band Wagon and All

Storyline: Toronto finally has something to cheer for! But what do some long-time fans do? They bash Band Wagon jumpers! To achieve long-term success the Blue Jays need everybody on board. 

Blue Jay Fever has struck Toronto! Coming off of an 11-game winning streak and having a legitimate shot of winning the World Series will do that to a city that hasn’t had the taste of success in quite a while. Whether it be the shortcoming of the Leafs (for eons), the mediocrity of the Raptors, or failed expectations of the Jays, the city hasn’t had a lot to get excited about for decades.

Courtesy: sportsnet.ca

Toronto finally has something to cheer for! But what do some long-time fans do? They bash Band Wagon jumpers!!! They call them ‘fair weather fans’ and blame them for the jacking up ticket prices. These fans just can’t seem to enjoy the team’s success. They want it all to themselves. Here’s how the thinking goes: “I put up with the pain and suffering for all of these seasons. I deserve to enjoy this on my own.”

Well, listen, Toronto: we can’t afford to become the Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa and St. Pete could care less if the team is doing well or poorly. The Rays don’t draw fans, regardless. You know what that does to a franchise? It makes it fight from behind in nearly every category. The team loses marquee talent because it can’t afford to pay high salaries. So the Rays end up being farm teams for other clubs. That’s just not a situation you want for a major league team.

Courtesy: sportsinteraction.com

It can and should be different in Toronto. This recent run by the Jays might allow the team to “say very softly” … Re-sign David Price. It puts extra money in the bank and shows Price that this is the place he needs to be if he wants to win. It also shows Free Agents and other players, who will play for a discount as a price ‘to win,’ that Toronto fans understand they have something special. Look at the Toronto Raptors, for example. Do you think that DeMarre Carroll even talks to Toronto without the complete resurgence of Raptor Nation?

Let’s face it: the Blue Jays have re-energized the city. The city is electric, something that hasn’t been here since the early ‘90s. All you need to do is show up downtown and have a couple of drinks before the game. You’ll see an ocean of Blue all over the streets. And fans will high-five at the game after yet another moonshot HR. You really have to hate sports to dislike this type of atmosphere.

I’ve never understood hatred expressed towards Band-Wagon Jumpers. You just can’t create something special in a city unless new people come on board and show interest in the team and games. How do you gain interest? You give the city a contending team.

I’m completely guilty of being a Band-Wagon Jumper when it comes to the Raptors. I didn’t pay one second of attention to this team until they made their run following the Rudy Gay trade. The light went on for me after that. I saw the team playing hard with unlikely heroes coming out of the fray. That’s how a sports culture is built in a city. People get excited–older and new fans, alike.

Courtesy: sports-memes-com

Toronto has had it so bad, for so long, that some people express negativity towards just about every situation. It’s almost as though the other shoe is going to drop at any time. Certain fans can’t enjoy the run. Only winning will conquer that. What could be better than a month-long division race against the hated Yankees? I can’t think of anything better or any place I’d rather be.

So, Blue Jay fans, support the Band-Wagon Jumpers! Their money is going to help the Jays stay competitive. David Price can’t be re-signed if only 20,000 fans go to the games each night.

Celebrate the sellouts. Devour these moments. Embrace the atmosphere.

Take it from a long-time, suffering Blue Jay fan: this feeling can go away…and it can stay away for a very long time.